Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“If you thought you could manage it, why did you end up in the hospital with a concussion?” Eva replied, gesturing toward Mia’s forehead.
Mia could only offer a sheepish smile, attempting to deflect the conversation with a hint of cuteness.
Glancing at Timothy, Eva couldn’t ignore the injuries evident on his body, clearly the aftermath of a physical altercation.
There was no need to speculate about who had inflicted those wounds. With a composed demeanor, Eva said, “Mr. Barrett, would you mind stepping outside for a private conversation?”
“Eva, what’s the matter? I already instructed him to leave Nord City immediately.” Mia interjected.
As Mia’s words trailed off, Timothy, seated across from her, retorted bluntly, “I never agreed to that.”
With a roll of her eyes, Mia quipped, “Mr. Barrett, do you think this is Bern City? If Dominic discovers you’re here, you’ll be in serious trouble! Even if you’re Ginger’s father, there won’t be any special treatment!” “Alright, alright, Dominic isn’t a mobster, he wouldn’t go to such extremes,” Eva intervened, stepping forward. She then turned to Timothy and said, “Come with me.”
Mia could only watch helplessly as Timothy and Eva exited the hospital room. She sat on the edge of the bed, her expression gradually turning solemn.
In truth, Mia had only recently regained her memories, and she hadn’t fully processed her feelings for Timothy yet.
She hadn’t expected to genuinely like Timothy all those years ago. After all, Mia had never experienced what it was like to have feelings for a man, especially when Timothy hadn’t even noticed her back then. He had even initiated their divorce because of that impostor, Maya. Outside the hospital room, Eva observed Timothy closely. It was evident to her that he was exactly the type of person Mia was attracted to.
Deciding to be straightforward, Eva said, “Mr. Barrett, let me cut to the chase.”
Timothy responded respectfully, “Please, go ahead.”
“Mr. Barrett,” Eva began, “do you love Mia?”
Upon hearing Eva’s words, Timothy froze in place, his eyes momentarily betraying his bewilderment.
Love?
The notion had never crossed his mind before.
“Timothy, your silence speaks volumes. It’s clear that Mia doesn’t hold a special place in your heart. So why do you keep entangling yourself with her?”
Eva’s calm voice effortlessly cornered Timothy, leaving him with no escape.
Timothy remained rooted on his spot, realizing he was trapped with no way out.
In that instant, he felt even more vulnerable than when he was surrounded and attacked by those bodyguards earlier.
Though his throat moved, Timothy couldn’t manage to utter a single word in response.
With a faint smile playing on her lips, Eva observed, “Since you don’t love Mia, there’s no need to keep up this facade. Gaining custody of Ginger is an unattainable goal for you, and if your heart isn’t in it, why bother? After all, wasn’t it you who filed for divorce?”
Tiny droplets of sweat began to form on Timothy’s forehead as he faced Eva’s probing questions, unsure of how to respond.
He knew that any attempts to defend himself now would be futile.
“Mr. Barrett, it’s time for you to leave. There’s no place for you here,” Eva declared.
As she turned away, Timothy’s voice broke the silence. “She’s always been in my heart.”
“Mr. Barrett, merely having her in your heart isn’t enough. Do you truly love her, or is it just your guilt speaking?”
Eva’s interrogation left Timothy with nowhere to turn to, forcing him to confront his true feelings.
Timothy’s voice lowered, laden with uncertainty. “I’m not even sure what love truly means. Mia, she’s… she’s different to me. If this is what love feels like…”
“Mr. Barrett, love doesn’t entertain “ifs’,” Eva interjected firmly, her gaze unwavering. “If you don’t truly love Mia, then you have no right to involve yourself in her life. As her family, please understand our wish to safeguard her heart. It’s about mutual respect, isn’t it?”
At that moment, Timothy felt like a defeated soldier, standing forlornly in place.
Eva’s words had indeed struck a chord within him.
Timothy’s gaze remained fixed on the hospital room door. Nonetheless, he couldn’t muster the courage to push it open and step inside. Meanwhile, Eva entered the hospital room and immediately sensed the heavy burden of guilt written across Mia’s expression.
“Did you overhear our conversation just now?” Eva spoke up.
Mia responded awkwardly, “What conversation? I couldn’t hear anything from here.”
“Stop pretending. Your shoe fell off by the door!” Eva replied, nudging Mia’s shoe away.
As Mia’s gaze fell upon the discarded shoe, she knew she had been caught red-handed.
Seated on the hospital bed, Mia inquired, “Eva, why did you ask him that question?”
“What question?”
Mia hesitated before continuing, “You know, the one about whether he loves me or not.”
“Why not? Can’t I ask him that?”
“It’s just… it’s embarrassing. We’ve been divorced for so many years, and now you’re asking him if he loves me. It makes it seem like I still have feelings for him or something.”
Mia had anticipated Eva scolding Timothy, so she was taken aback when Eva posed the question about his love for her.
This question caught her off guard.
Setting the food container before Mia, Eva met her gaze and inquired, “Why are you getting so worked up?”
“Worked up? Me?” Mia hesitated, her hand clutching the plate. “I just find it awkward that you asked him that question, that’s all.”
“Mia, you’ve never been so hung up on a question before. What’s gotten into you today?”
Mia confessed, “Eva, I’ve regained my memories. I remember everything from before.”
“What? Is it because of the concussion?”
Mia nodded solemnly. “Yes, but even before the concussion, I’ve been gradually recalling bits and pieces of my past. I understand why you had the hypnotherapist erase those memories for my well- being, but at this point, I no longer care.”
“Are you truly not bothered by it anymore?” Eva asked.
Mia responded earnestly, “That’s right. Now, I’m living comfortably as the heiress of the Lane family, with everything I desire at my fingertips. How could I possibly care about a worthless ex-husband?”
“It’s good that you’ve reached that perspective. You heard Timothy earlier—he’s not motivated by love for you.
“Perhaps it’s his guilt regarding Ginger that drives him to cling to you, seeking to make amends. These are just empty words from a man. Hear them out, but don’t let them weigh on your heart,” Eva advised. Gripping her fork, Mia’s gaze drifted downward as she softly replied, “I understand.”
For four years, Mia had been aware that Timothy didn’t love her.
Now, she certainly wouldn’t assume that Timothy stuck around out of affection for her.
“Mia, men like Timothy aren’t quick to fall in love. Those entrenched in the ruthless world of business often have their hearts hardened by their ambitions. Sincerity is a commodity they’ve long since traded away,” Eva reminded her.
Mia suddenly looked up, her expression sincere as she inquired, “And what about Dominic?”
If her memory served her right, Dominic was also a businessman. Following Mia’s question, Eva paused briefly before elaborating, “Dominic is a different case altogether. While men like him may lack sincerity, once they do fall for someone, it’s a commitment for life. “Winning their genuine affection is no small feat. They may be drawn or intrigued by a woman, but that alone isn’t sufficient to earn their true love,” Eva explained patiently.
Mia was curious. “So, what would be enough, then?”
“You’d need to push them to the brink, shatter their hearts, and have them willingly sacrifice everything for you. Only then can you be certain that they’ve truly fallen in love with you.”
As Eva’s words trailed off, she gazed at Mia with astonishment. “Mia, you’re not thinking about Timothy, are you?”
“No, absolutely not. I was just asking,” Mia replied firmly. “After all, Timothy and I parted ways four years ago.”
As Mia savored her meal, Eva’s words echoed in her mind.
The notion lingered in Mia’s thoughts—when a man like Timothy was in love with a woman, he’d be prepared to go to any lengths for her.
Still, Mia found it difficult to picture Timothy losing his rationality for a woman.
After finishing her meal, Mia turned to Eva and said, “I can manage on my own here in the hospital. Eva, you should head back before Dominic finds out.”
Mia was adamant about keeping her predicament hidden from Dominic! “But I’m concerned about you being alone at the hospital,” Eva objected.
“I’ll text my brothers and ask them to come keep me company,” Mia reassured her.
Ultimately, Eva couldn’t refuse Mia’s request and reluctantly left the hospital.
As for Timothy, Eva decided it was best to leave him out of the conversation for the time being.
After all, matters of the heart were something Mia needed to address on her own.
After finishing her meal, Mia settled onto the bed, feeling the soreness of the bump on her head.
She had planned to visit Sage the next day, but feeling self-conscious about her injury, she decided against it.
In her mind, Mia could almost envision Sage’s disapproving expression, scolding her for her clumsiness.
As Mia lay in bed, sleep continued to elude her. Instead, thoughts of Laura, still unconscious in her hospital bed, consumed her mind, fueling her worry.
The reason Mia and Timothy had crossed paths on Xanier Island was because Timothy was there to auction off reishi mushrooms.
As Mia closed her eyes, her thoughts wandered back to the events of the ill-fated party four years ago on Xanier Island.